UPON a sunny morning in early June, the post-boy rapped at the door of Judge Marston's dwelling, and left a letter for his pretty daughter Hattie.

Now this letter was nothing remarkable of itself, not being a love-letter, and not even coming from a gentleman correspondent. It simply bore a western post-mark, but it set little Hattie Marston all in a flutter after she had eagerly perused its contents; and, with it in her hand, she hastily sought her mother, who was superintending dinner.

"Oh, mother, a letter from Cousin Lizzie, from Cleveland! Uncle and aunt wished her to write for me to visit them next month. There is a gentleman of their acquaintance coming east in a week or two, who will call for me a Mr. Farlow-who, Lizzie writes, is the son of an old college friend of uncle's and father's. Lizzie has told him about me, and he politely offers to be my travelling companion on his return. What a grand opportunity it will be! won't it, mother? You know I have been wishing to go West for a year or inore; and father is so much engaged that he cannot accompany me. I can go, can't I, mother?" said Hattie, eagerly.

"Wait, and see what your father says. I know we have long promised you a western visit; and now, if the Judge thinks it best, and this young man is a proper escort, I shall be willing for you to leave us for awhile. When your father returns to dinner, read the letter to him, and see what his opinion is."

At dinner, Judge Marston, with his dignified mien, silvery hair, and frank, genial countenance, was met by his daughter.

"What is it, Hattie? what has happened?'' he asked, as he noted her eager, flushed face, and the open letter in her hand.

"Oh, father, a letter from Cousin Lizzie, wishing me to pay them a visit! I will read it to you; and shall expect you will gladly say that I may go forthwith." And Hattie proceeded to read aloud her cousin's letter. "There, father, what do you think? May I not go?" she asked, as she finished reading.

Cousin Lizzie's. Who knows what might come of it, eh, Hattie ?" and the Judge laughed provokingly.

"Don't talk so, father!" said Hattie. "You forget that Lizzie says his father is an old friend of yours, and that he is one of the ablest lawyers of Cleveland."

"Well, if Robert Farlow inherits any of his father's qualities, he is a noble young man. His father was my most intimate college friend, and many a scrape did he save me from while there. I should like to see the young man right well, and hope he has the same traits of character which distinguished his father. You can write your Cousin Lizzie that your mother and I give our consent, and that she may expect 'our plague' at the time appointed," and the Judge turned to his dinner.

Two weeks later, Robert Farlow arrived in W. and stopped at the village hotel. On the evening after his arrival he called at Judge Marston's, with a letter of introduction from the Judge's brother, Mr. Marston, of Cleveland.

A frank, manly bearing-like that of his father's in youth-quickly won the Judge's favor; and he cordially proffered the hospitalities of his house to the young lawyer during his stay in the place, remarking laughingly to his wife, "That, now, he had no fears of intrusting Hattie to his care!"

And Hattie, what did she think of her escort? Ah, methinks if the pillow whereon she pressed her golden head could tell tales, it would speak of a strong prepossession in the young lawyer's favor.

A week later, and the westward train bore Hattie Marston and Robert Farlow among its passengers.

It was something new for Hattie to travel, having never been farther from home than a neighboring boarding-school; and everything was fresh and delightful to her. The varied scenery of lake and forest delighted her; and her fresh, childish remarks pleased her companion, who had hitherto been accustomed only to the society of fashionable ladies. He discovered in her a true child of nature, whose unhackneyed guilelessness attracted and gratified him. But, as night drew on, poor Hattie became tired of asking questions and looking from the window. She gradually grew silent; and after many vain efforts to keep her eyes

open, they unconsciously closed, and she was really fast asleep, while a gentle hand drew her head down against a manly shoulder, and tender eyes, in which beamed a new light, gazed upon the sweet face nestling there in quiet security.

The succeeding two days and nights were similar to the first to our travellers, save that the manner of Robert Farlow grew more tender and thoughtful for his charge. On the third eve they arrived at their journey's end, and Hattie was safely transferred to her uncle's house.

"And how did you like your escort, Cousin Hattie ?" asked Lizzie Marston, as the two girls sat in the latter's room late that night.

"Oh I think he is splendid!" answered Hattie, while a blush unconsciously stole up her face. "He was so polite and gentlemanly! It seemed as if he could not do enough to make me comfortable."

"" Now

"I thought you'd like him; and I knew he couldn't help liking Cousin Hattie, as I told him he would! He is usually averse to making himself agreeable to ladies; though they, dear creatures, perfectly dote on him when in his society," said Lizzie, laughingly. I'll tell you a little secret, Hattie, if you 'll promise not to scold me. Do you want to hear it, Hattie ? If so, promise not to look cross." "Yes, I'll promise, if it is anything that I ought to know.”

Well, it is; and so here 's the story! You see, for a year or more, I've been wanting a certain gentleman and a certain cousin of mine to become acquainted; and, for awhile, I really despaired of effecting a meeting. But one day a bright idea occurred to me. I had just received a letter from this cousin of mine, who shall, for the present, be nameless; and it so chanced that the gentleman in question, who also shall be without a name, happened in as I was reading the letter, when what could I do but read aloud a few passages, and then tell him of the writer? Of course I had never mentioned her before! Then I hinted that a journey east would do him no harm, and that one west would do the lady heaps of good; so, very naturally, he took the hint, and offered to be your escort, Cousin Hattie. There, now, aren't I nice for planning ?"

"O you cruel, wicked girl! how could you?" exclaimed Hattie, hiding her glowing face, which had gradually grown a deeper hue, till her cousin finished, when it seemed a-blaze with fire-"How could you do it, Hattie? I never would have come one step, had I known

of your plans!" And Hattie's voice really betrayed injured feeling and wounded pride.

There, don't be angry, dear Hattie, or I shall regret having told you !" said her cousin, putting her arm around her and kissing her. "There is no harm done; for I know Robert Farlow doesn't regret his journey, if I can judge from his countenance this evening; and you, Hattie, you, of course, hav'n't been foolish enough to fall in love with him; so, my dear, kiss me forgiveness, and let's seek our pillows, for I know you must be fatigued enough with the journey!"

But little slumber refreshed Hattie Marston's eyes that night, for her cousin's words rang in her ears: "You hav'n't been foolish enough to fall in love with him?" Had she? She hid her face in the pillow, and tears of shame dimmed her blue eyes.

The next morning Robert Farlow called, as a matter of course, to inquire after the health of his compagnon du voyage. Hattie's manner was cool and reserved toward him, a marked change from what it had previously been; and he felt it.

"Are you ill, Miss Marston?" he asked, anxiously, as he noted her pale face and heavy eyes.

"No, oh no, pot in the least," she answered, quickly, the color rapidly mantling her cheek. "I'm afraid, Mr. Farlow, the journey has made her ill. It was almost too long to take "said without stopping to rest upon the way,' her aunt, Mrs. Marston.

"O no; Cousin Hattie is only a little fatigued; she will recover in a day or two," said Lizzie, demurely.

The wicked girl knew all the while that her words of the previous night had caused the change in her cousin's manner toward their visitor; but she had a plan in her head, which she was determined should be fulfilled.

Time passed, and Hattie Marston enjoyed her visit exceedingly. A gay summer and fall she had at her cousin's in the West, cantering over the flowery prairies, or sailing upon the lakes; and her time was fully occupied. Her beauty and grace attracted much attention, and many suitors were at her side; but to all she turned a deaf ear.

But there was one whom she saw daily-yet who stood aloof when others flocked around her-one word from whose lips would have sent fullest happiness to her heart. But this word was not spoken; for her guarded manner, since the night of their arrival, had continued;

and so they two, so near, walked apart, each mistaken in the other. Ah, Lizzie Marston, your plan should not have been told so soon! You made a sad mistake in its betrayal; for Hattie guards her heart with a double bolt and lock, and Robert Farlow, equally watchful over his own, catches no glimpse of what is hidden so securely within hers whom he deems he loves in vain.

As the autumn days deepened and the beauty of the season departed, one morning, at breakfast, Hattie avowed her intention of returning home, and would not listen to entreaties to remain longer.

66 'But you cannot go until the last of next month, Hattie," said her uncle, "for I shall not be able to go East until then, and your father cannot come for you now."

"But I must go, uncle! I have made you a long visit already. I can go in charge of the conductor, and shall arrive safely; never fear for that," she replied, stoutly.

"Hattie homesick? why, child!" said her aunt, looking at her scrutinizingly. "Well, I don't much wonder at it, for I expect Lizzie would be if she were on east. But try, dear, and content yourself until your uncle can go on with you. I shouldn't feel right to have you go without a companion."

"Hattie, dear, you mustn't go a step now; so don't say another word about it," said her Cousin Lizzie. "Here we have just begun to enjoy ourselves, and you must take this freak into your head to return home. I sha'n't allow it! so don't give it another thought, but content yourself to remain until uncle comes for you; and then, if, of your own accord, you do not wish to remain longer, why, I won't say another word against it. Will you, Mr. Farlow?" said Lizzie, turning to that gentleman, who had just entered.

"Against what, Miss Lizzie? What is it I am expected to influence your cousin in favor of? I must know the case in question before I give my decision, he answered, smilingly."

"Oh, of course," answered Lizzie. "I did not realize but that you were here just now, when Hattie made known her intention of returning home immediately. Now, what we want is, that you should try your powers of persuasion in behalf of her remaining until her father comes for her, which will be only too soon for us to lose her."

"I hardly flatter myself that anything I can say will have the desired effect if you all have failed," he answered; "but if, on the contrary, your cousin wishes to go, perhaps I might be

of benefit to her on the journey, as the duties of my profession call me to New York next week. If she will again accept my escort, I shall be but too happy in rendering it."

"Just the thing !" said Mr. Marston and Lizzie in a breath; the latter continuing, with a smile lurking in the corners of her mouth:

"Well, Hattie, if you are determined to go, why, you can have your old travelling companion !"

Poor Hattie blushed, and murmured out a few words in thanks; and then, pleading a headache, retired.

A week later found our travelling companions upon the return route. Hattie still maintained her old reserved manner; and Robert Farlow despaired of obtaining her love; so he wrapped himself in a reserve equal to her own. But accident was destined to place that happiness within the young lawyer's grasp, which, otherwise, would never have been given him.

It was the last night of their journey. Hattie had sunk into a deep slumber, unbroken by the jolt of the cars or the hoarse breathing of the engine. She slept; and the eyes of the young lawyer rested upon her with tenderness beaming from their depths. He felt that the time was fast nearing when he would be obliged to yield his lovely charge to her parents; and he found himself unconsciously wishing that something might occur to prolong their journey. This desired "something” came.

A sharp, shrill whistle-a sudden crash, mingled with loud shrieks-told that a frightful accident had occured to the train; and Robert Farlow felt himself whirled rapidly down a steep embankment. Unconsciously, at the first jar, he had grasped the sleeping girl in his strong arms, and, with her clasped to his heart, had been borne down amid the crashing seats of the car. Very fortunate it was that they had taken passage in the last car, and in the rear of that; otherwise, neither would have been saved the sad fate of mangled limbs met by so many of their fellow-passengers.

Five minutes after that terrible crash of the two fiery engines that came in collision, Robert Farlow, with pale face and one hand bleeding and crushed, arose from the ruin around him, with Hattie still clasped to his breast. Faint and stunned from the shock, moments had passed before he recovered his senses; but awakening to a realization of his situation, he rose with his unconscious burden, and stood out in the clear moonlight.

A crimson mark stained Hattie Marston's white forehead, and her eyes were closed;

while the moonbeams showed the otherwise deathly pallor of her face framed in her loosened golden hair which floated around her.

Oh, my God!" exclaimed Robert Farlow, as he gazed upon her and saw that she did not revive. 'Oh, Hattie! my beloved! my angel, is dead!" he cried, passionately, as he pressed his lips to hers in a first long kiss.

The lips of the young girl trembled at the pressure of his, and her eyelids slowly unclosed, while she murmured softly:

"Where am I? Am I dreaming?" and she paused in confusion, putting her hand to her head.

"No, you are not dreaming, dearest Hattie ! It is true that I love you better than life, that I would gladly meet death, if thereby I might save you a pang!" he answered, tenderly and rapidly.

"But where am I? and what is the matter with your hand? There is blood upon my face too!" she said, as she put her hand to her head.

"We have met with a fearful accident, Hattie," he answered, "and many are seriously injured. I was afraid, at first, that you were ; but, thank God, it is not so! My hand is slightly injured, and the blood must have touched your forehead, for there is no wound there.

You are not harmed. Oh how thankful I am that you are safe !”

It was a strange place for an avowal of love; there, at that midnight hour and in the moonlight, with the sound of the sufferers still in their ears. But a moment they lingered; yet that was sufficient for Robert Farlow to read an answer-not only in the eyes of his companion, but in her few spoken words:

"You have saved my life, Robert; henceforth it shall be given to its preserver!" Then they turned to assist the unfortunate sufferers around them.

A few hours of detention, and they were again on the road, and arrived safely the next nightfall at Hattie's home, where they were tearfully welcomed by her parents, who had just read the news of the accident.

A month later, a wedding was celebrated at Judge Marston's mansion; and when Hattie again left the home of her girlhood for another western journey, it was as the wife of Robert Farlow.

WHAT PRECIOUS STONES ARE MADE OF. FIRST, as to the diamond, which, though the king and chief of all, may be dismissed in two

words-pure carbon. The diamond is the ultimate effort, the idealization, the spiritual evolution of coal-the butterfly escaped from its antenatal tomb, the realization of the coal's highest being. Then the ruby, the flaming red oriental ruby, side by side with the sapphire, and the oriental topaz-both rubies of different colors-what are they? Crystals of our commonest argillaceous earth, the earth which makes our potters' clay, our pipe-clay, and common roofing slate-mere bits of alumina. Yet these are among our best gems, these idealizations of our common potters' clay. In every one hundred grains of beautiful blue sapphire, ninety-two are pure alumina with one grain of iron to make that glorious light within. The ruby is colored with chromic acid. The amethyst is only silica or flint. In one hundred grains of amethyst, ninety-eight are pure flint-the same substance as that which made the old flint in the tinder-box, used before our phosphorus and sulphur-headed matches; of this same silica are also cornelian, cat's-eye, rock crystal, Egyptian jasper and opal. In one hundred grains of opal, ninety are pure silica, and ten water. It is the water, then, which gives the gem the peculiarly changeable and iridescent coloring which is so beautiful, and which renders the opal the moonlight queen of the kingly diamond. The garnet, the Brazilian topaz, but not the oriental-the oriental emerald which is of the same species as the beryl; all are compounds of flint and alumina. But the beryl and emerald are not composed exclusively of silica and alumina; they contain another earth called glucina-from glukos, sweet, because its salts are sweet to the taste. The hyacinth gem is composed of the earth called zirconia, first discovered in that species of stone called zircon, found in Scotland. A chrysolite is a portion of pure silicate of magnesia. Without carbonate of copper there would be no malachite in Russia, or in the Burra Burra mines in Australia; without carbonate of lime there would be no Carrara marble. The turquoise is nothing but a phosphate of alumina colored blue by copper. Lapis Lazuli is only a bit of earth painted throughout with sulphuret of sodium.

LET us consider that youth is of no long duration, and that, in mature age, when the enchantments of fancy shall cease, and phantoms of delight dance no more about us, we shall have no comfort but the esteem of wise men, and the means of doing good.

lower part of it draw a horizontal line from right to left, as b, in Fig. 5.

Draw four horizontal lines, and then join their extremities by four perpendicular lines, as in a, Fig. 5. This will represent a block of wood (called a cube in geometry), having six faces, and eight corners or angles, like a die.

Here is another geometrical figure which you are requested to copy. To do so correctly, be`gin by making two dots, and then forming the upper line; then calculate that the distance of the second line is twice the depth of the fore part of the stone (which is represented in Fig. 6), and draw a very faint short stroke to fix the Fig. 6.

distance. You must now fix the place to commence the second line, and you therefore place a dot at about the same depth as the fore part of the stone towards the right, and another dot at about one and a half of the depth from the right of the end of the upper line; then draw a line between the two dots. Join the ends of these two lines by oblique lines, as represented in the figure above, and proceeding in the same manner to place dots upon the paper for the other parts, draw the short perpendicular lines and the oblique and horizontal lines. figure is now complete in outline, and you must therefore finish it by the addition of a few strokes and dots as shown in the figure.

The

Draw a perpendicular line, and from the

knowledge of the combination of form and proportion, and will school your eyes to the perspective of solids. In this, as in all cases, proceed by making dots before you commence drawing your lines; and we merely repeat this again because we wish our pupils to under